Power dispatch of hybrid photovoltaic-genset system using heuristic bio-inspired approach

Abstract

Malaysia is advancing into solar energy as a replacement of alternative source of an
electrical energy production to meet the escalation load demand due to the strategic
equatorial region. Hybrid PV-Genset system are developed to generate power as it
can be fitted into its local geography and other condition according to specification.
However, this does not guarantee that the hybrid system generates power optimally
because weather conditions (solar insolation, temperature and others) changes
periodically and influences the power generation and dispatch. Therefore, under
these circumstances the hybrid system does not operate optimally and lead to over
stress the system components resulting a higher maintenance cost due to frequent
wear and tear. Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) is implemented into two
non-linear optimisation areas such as the PV power tracker system and the power
dispatch controller. The required bio-inspired algorithm searches the best potential
optimal state for the maximum PV power generation as well as determining the
suitable power dispatch arrangement of the small scale hybrid PV-Genset system.
Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) and logic gate are used as a battery monitor for the
power dispatch controller depending on the capability and availability. The hybrid
PV-Genset system modelling was simulated using two types of tropical weather
conditions (sunny and rainy). As an outcome, the obtained simulation results and
series of analysis are conducted using MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. Through
the analysis and results, the contribution of each hybrid system component operates
at the optimum level and hybrid power is dispatch to the load based on the hybrid
PV-Genset system capability.